US Secretary of State Chuck Hagel and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’aloPhoto: Courtesy of Ministry of Defense
US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon on Monday, vowing that the US would continue to help Israel maintain its military qualitative edge in the region, particularly in the air, by providing the Jewish State with the means to carry-out long-range strikes.
Hagels’ comments came as he finalized an arms deal that will enable Israel to improve its long-range strike, aerial patrol and troop transport capabilities.
The arms sale included V-22 Osprey aircraft, refueling tankers, advanced radars for fighter jets and anti-air defense missiles.
Hagel, speaking at a joint press conference with Ya’alon, stated that the US was providing to Israel military equipment “that we have not given to any other country.”
Hagel stated that the US military aid would “ensure Israel’s air superiority in the future and allow the Israeli Air Force long-range capabilities.”
Ya’alon for his part thanked the US for its support, saying that the countries share security information and intelligence.
He stated that while Israel prefers a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear program, the IDF is prepared to defend itself by itself.
Israel Air Force pilots have begun training on the tili-rotor V-22 aircraft, which uses rotors to take off and land vertically before flying on missions as an airplane. It can match the speed of a Hercules and refuel from it during sorties. The V-22 will improve the IAF’s aerial patrol capabilities, and can also transport troops a considerable distance.
Israel also purchased the KC-135 military refueling plane, which will form a substantial addition to the IAF’s current fleet of modified Boeing 707 refueling aircraft, of which the air force is believed to have around 10.
The arms deal is part of a wider $10 billion package involving US sales to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, designed to provide Washington’s allies in the region with enhanced military capabilities against Iran. The UAE will take stock of 25 F-16 Desert Falcon jets worth nearly $5b.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Yaakov Lappin contributed to this report.
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